Abstract: A torque wrench including a handle attached to a drive member and a transducer that senses the torque transferred from the handle to the drive member and outputs a first signal corresponding to the transferred torque. An analog mechanical input device disposed on the handle that simultaneously defines a set point and indicates the set point. A comparator receives the first signal from the transducer, receives the set point, compares the first signal from the transducer to the set point, and outputs a second signal. The mechanical input device does not display a real time measurement of the torque transferred to the work piece prior to reaching the set point.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench for engaging a workpiece, the electronic torque wrench including a wrench body and a wrench head disposed on the wrench body, the wrench head being configured to engage the workpiece. A grip handle is disposed on the wrench body opposite the wrench head and a user interface is carried by the wrench body. The user interface includes a digital display with a first readout and a second readout, and an input device for inputting a preset torque value. The first readout displays a peak torque value continuously during operations and the second readout displays an applied torque value continuously during operations.

Abstract: A mechanical torque wrench including a wrench body defining an elongated interior compartment and a wrench head including a bar extending therefrom being pivotally secured to a first end of the wrench body. A hand grip located on a second end of the wrench body, the hand grip being non-rotationally fixed to the second end of wrench body, and a set spring is disposed within the wrench body. A pawl is disposed between the bar and the set spring. Rotation of a dial screw in a first direction compresses the set spring and rotation in a second direction allows expansion of the set spring. A set ring is operatively connected to the dial screw and rotatable relative to the wrench body. A resistive element produces an output signal that depends on a position of the dial screw relative to the resistive element. A processor converts the output signal into an equivalent torque value in a selected system of units for display on a user interface.

Abstract: A two-way communication system particularly valuable for noisy environments where a user has a tooth bone conduction microphone in his mouth normally controlled by a tongue switch that transmits an electrical signal representing speech to a retransmit module usually worn on the user's body or mounted on an earphone or headset where the speech electrical signal is retransmitted to a second user usually by RF. The retransmit module can also receive signals from the second user and transmit them to the earphone or headset thus providing two-way communication.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench for driving a workpiece includes a wrench body having a handle end and a wrench head receiving end. A wrench head a workpiece receiving end and a mounting end, and the mounting end is removably received by wrench head receiving end. A user interface having a processor and a display is mounted on the wrench body. A wrench head sensing device is carried by the wrench head receiving end and includes an electrical connection between the wrench head sensing device and the processor. The wrench head sensing device sends an electrical signal to the processor indicating the presence of the wrench head on the wrench head receiving end.

Abstract: A mechanical torque wrench including a wrench body defining an elongated interior compartment and a wrench head including a bar extending therefrom being pivotally secured to a first end of the wrench body. A hand grip located on a second end of the wrench body, the hand grip being non-rotationally fixed to the second end of wrench body, and a set spring is disposed within the wrench body. A pawl is disposed between the bar and the set spring. Rotation of a dial screw in a first direction compresses the set spring and rotation in a second direction allows expansion of the set spring. A set ring is operatively connected to the dial screw and rotatable relative to the wrench body. A resistive element produces an output signal that depends on a position of the dial screw relative to the resistive element. A processor converts the output signal into an equivalent torque value in a selected system of units for display on a user interface.

Abstract: A mechanical torque wrench including a wrench body defining an elongated interior compartment and a wrench head including a bar extending therefrom being pivotally secured to a first end of the wrench body. A hand grip located on a second end of the wrench body and a set spring is disposed within the wrench body. A pawl is disposed between the bar and the set spring. Rotation of a dial screw in a first direction compresses the set spring and rotation in a second direction allows expansion of the set spring. A set ring is operatively connected to the dial screw and rotatable relative to the wrench body. A resistive element is coupled to the dial screw and produces an output signal that depends on a position of the dial screw relative to the resistive element. A processor converts the output signal into an equivalent torque value for display on a user interface.

Abstract: A tooth microphone apparatus worn in a human mouth that includes a sound transducer element in contact with at least one tooth in mouth, the transducer producing an electrical signal in response to speech and a means for transmitting said electrical signal from the sound transducer to an external apparatus. The sound transducer can be a MEMS accelerometer, and the MEMS accelerometer can be coupled to a signal conditioning circuit for signal conditioning. The signal conditioning circuit can be further coupled to a transmitter. The transmitter can be an RF transmitter of any type, an optical transmitter, or any other type of transmitter. In particular, it can be a bluetooth device or a device that transmits into a Wi-Fi network or any other means of communication. The transmitter is optional.

Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing system, and methods for its use in the storage, shipping, and accurate dispensing by manual or automated methods, of, for example, precious biologic samples such as protein, DNA or RNA, with minimal contamination, oxidation, and evaporation, the system having: an essentially cylindrical storage barrel with a flange at its open end and a port and delivery tip at the closed end; a piston with a seal, where the piston closely matches the shape of the closed end of the barrel to minimize dead volume; and a cover to seal the delivery tip during storage such as cryostorage.

Abstract: A metal cutting drill bit has a shank portion, a flute portion defining a helix angle and a tip. The tip has a primary cutting edge extending to an outer periphery of the drill bit. The primary cutting edge has a rake face defining a rake angle. The rake angle is different from the helix angle at the tip of the drill bit.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench for driving a workpiece includes a wrench body having a handle end and a wrench head receiving end. A wrench head a workpiece receiving end and a mounting end, and the mounting end is removably received by wrench head receiving end. A user interface having a processor and a display is mounted on the wrench body. A wrench head sensing device is carried by the wrench head receiving end and includes an electrical connection between the wrench head sensing device and the processor. The wrench head sensing device sends an electrical signal to the processor indicating the presence of the wrench head on the wrench head receiving end.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench for engaging a workpiece, the electronic torque wrench including a wrench body and a wrench head disposed on the wrench body, the wrench head being configured to engage the workpiece. A grip handle is disposed on the wrench body opposite the wrench head and a user interface is carried by the wrench body. The user interface includes a digital display with a first readout and a second readout, and an input device for inputting a preset torque value. The first readout displays a peak torque value continuously during operations and the second readout displays an applied torque value continuously during operations.

Abstract: A mechanical torque wrench including a wrench body defining an elongated interior compartment and a wrench head including a bar extending therefrom being pivotally secured to a first end of the wrench body. A hand grip located on a second end of the wrench body and a set spring is disposed within the wrench body. A pawl is disposed between the bar and the set spring. Rotation of a dial screw in a first direction compresses the set spring and rotation in a second direction allows expansion of the set spring. A set ring is operatively connected to the dial screw and rotatable relative to the wrench body. A resistive element is coupled to the dial screw and produces an output signal that depends on a position of the dial screw relative to the resistive element. A processor converts the output signal into an equivalent torque value for display on a user interface.

Abstract: A cell sorter system that includes a precision pump that causes fluid containing cells to enter an inlet port where the fluid is exposed to source light of one or more wavelengths and where cells scatter light or produce fluorescence by known means, and the scattered light and/or fluorescence is used to detect the presence and position of desired cells. The fluid is passed into a select gate that can be magnetostrictive where it is cause to exit one of a plurality of ports, at least one of these ports receiving the desired cells. A controller controls the precision pump, the detection system, and the select gate so that cells are selected from the fluid. An optional vacuum system can be used to pull fluid or cells out of the selected exit port.

Abstract: A multi-valved positive displacement pump design that employs a magnetostrictive fluid pump in combination with magnetostrictive gates. The pump generally comprises a pump housing defining an internal fluid chamber, an inlet port to the fluid chamber, an outlet port from the fluid chamber, a magnetostrictive positive displacement pump in the fluid chamber, and magnetostrictive gates (valves) selectably blocking the inlet port to the fluid chamber and the outlet port from the fluid chamber. All pump and gate actuators include rods formed of magnetostrictive material (seated in the housing), and coil windings for electrical excitation to vary the length of the rods.

Abstract: A metal cutting drill bit has a shank portion, a flute portion defining a helix angle and a tip. The tip has a primary cutting edge extending to an outer periphery of the drill bit. The primary cutting edge has a rake face defining a rake angle. The rake angle is different from the helix angle at the tip of the drill bit.

Abstract: A method of making beams, clamps and other structures by curing a polymer containing a magnetostrictive material. A magnetostrictive material like TERFENOL-D™ is placed in a polymer. This mixture is put onto a slide in a film. The mixture is cured by UV light (or other means) so that it cross-links. A second layer of polymer with no magnetostrictive material can be cured on top of the first layer. This leads to a beam structure which exhibits a bending moment in an applied magnetic field. By aligning the magnetostrictive particles before curing with a magnetic field, a beam or other structure can be produced with aligned particles. A mask can be used to selectively cure regions where the magnetostrictive particles have different alignments on the same layer. It is possible to build up multiple layer structures with layers of magnetostrictive particles aligned in different directions.

Abstract: A system for making dynamic measurement of viscosity or density of a fluid using magnetostrictive particles. Magnetostrictive particles are placed in contact or proximity with a fluid where they can experience stress caused by the viscosity of the fluid when they expand, contract or otherwise move. A alternating or otherwise changing magnetic field is applied to the system causing the particles to expand and contract. A sense coil detects a total magnetic field that is a superposition of the applied field and a field generated in the magnetostrictive particles as they expand and contract. The amplitude of this sensor is related to the viscosity. The applied magnetic field can also be swept in frequency with the location of a resonance also indicating viscosity or density.

Abstract: A two-way communication system particularly valuable for noisy environments where a user has a tooth bone conduction microphone in his mouth normally controlled by a tongue switch that transmits an electrical signal representing speech to a retransmit module usually worn on the user's body or mounted on an earphone or headset where the speech electrical signal is retransmitted to a second user usually by RF. The retransmit module can also receive signals from the second user and transmit them to the earphone or headset thus providing two-way communication.

Abstract: A precision fluid dispensing system containing at least one two-piece pump and a precision closed loop controller drive system to address the small volume precision dispensing requirements of bioscience applications. A multiple diameter pump can be combined with a pump having multiple inlet and outlet ports to allow for precision multiple outlet dispenses in a single pump that finds use with microtiter plate pipetting and other precision dispensing. Inlet ports can be located on the smaller diameter of the cylinder with outlet ports on the larger diameter of the cylinder. A microcontroller with closed loop feedback provides exact linear positioning and motion of the pump piston as well as optional control of a nozzle to provide exact micro-dispensing of fluids. A dual piston pump can be used to provide greater accuracy.